September 2019; There Are Five Articles I Invited You to Read: USS LTC John C
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 5 8 , Issue 9 September 201 9 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CAPT Richard C. West, USN-Ret Greetings Huntsville Chapter Members! Welcome to September – Golf Tournament month! Speaking of the tournament, I really wish to thank the Golf Committee members who have worked so hard over the last many months. Although financially we lost a couple of key sponsors, we still expect this to be an excellent tournament – fun for the participants and fun for the volunteers / spectators! There is still time for sponsors to participate and for members to donate and for players to register (form included in newsletter)! Thanks so much to those that have already done so – you are appreciated! The August membership meeting was a huge success! Tremendous attendance and excellent briefing by Congressman Brooks! Our next membership luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th at 1100 at The Summit Club. Our guest speaker will be Rae Barthel – the Director of Activities at the “Tut” Fann Veterans of America r Home here in Huntsville. Get your reservations in early to CDR Christine e t Downing. See page 8 for details! on p a th h Our venue for this month’s breakfast (0900 on September 14 ) will again be the City Café Diner on Drake Avenue. Come enjoy some great food and camaraderie! e C l l i Your Governing Board is working on several projects: (1) Filling the vacant 2nd v s Vice President position. This is a very important billet and we need a volunteer! (2) Filling the 2020 guest speaker schedule. If you have a suggestion, please let Christine or I know, and (3) Staying on top of the plans for RAD 2019. We Hunt attended a meeting with the Garrison Commander and leadership of many local Veteran Service Organizations and the City of Huntsville. There are still many questions that need to be resolved regarding VSO and vendor participation! litary Officers Associati Have a great month and stay safe! Hope to see many of you at the tournament on i the 20th and for lunch on the 25th! M Rick Member Meeting 25 September The Sentinel Guest Speaker is Rae Barthel from the Tut Fann Veterans Home In This Issue Huntsvillemoaa.org President’s Message 1 Treasurer’s Report 9 Legislative Corner 2 Membership Renewal Notice 11 Concerns 3 Birthdays 13 PX/Commissary 3 TAPS 14 Fox Army Health Clinic 5 Golf Tournament 15 Surviving Spouse Luncheon 6 Chapter Happenings 16 Surviving Spouse Corner 6 Traffic Advisory 17 Chaplain’s Corner 7 Labor Day 18 New Members 7 Golf Sponsorship 19 Membership Statistics 7 Chapter Objectives 20 Guest Speaker 8 Important Dates 21 Note: National MOAA and the Huntsville Chapter are non-partisan organizations 2019-2020 GOVERNING BOARD Legislative Corner EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Lt Col Charles Clements, USAF-Ret President: CAPT Richard C. West, USN-Ret, 256-776- 6901, [email protected] 1st Vice President: CAPT William P. Nash, USN-Ret, (256) 858-1617, [email protected] Take http://www.moaa.org/takeaction/ 2nd Vice President: Vacant Action Secretary: COL Michael C. Barron, USA-Ret, 337-422- 8862, [email protected] “All politics is local.” Treasurer: Lt Col Charles T. Clements, USAF- Ret, 256-715-1671 , [email protected] Army Representative: COL James D. Treadway, USA- The Senate voted in early August to send a two-year budget deal to President Ret, 256-859-1484, [email protected] Donald Trump’s desk for signature. The agreement sets new spending levels for Navy Representative: CW4 Louis J. Kubik, USMC-Ret, FY 2020 and FY 2021 and suspends the debt limit until July 2021. The House 256-859-3054, [email protected] has also approved the agreement. With the budget deal under wraps, senators Air Force Representative: Col Edward L. Uher, USAF-Ret, 256-882-6824, [email protected] have headed home for the August recess. Immediate Past President: Col Gerald C. Maxwell, USAFR, 256-606-5282, [email protected] These important issues require your immediate attention. Send your elected Second Past President: Lt Col Charles T. Clements, USAF- officials a MOAA-suggested message today. Look for the prepared letters at Ret, 256-715-1671, [email protected] the MOAA.org website under Legislative Action Center STANDING COMMITTEES • Do Not Dismantle Military Medicine Membership: CDR Christine Downing, USN-Ret, 256-828- 9740, [email protected] The readiness and effectiveness of America’s armed forces demand a full Programs: CDR Christine Downing, USN-Ret, 256-828- complement of well-trained medical professionals. But the Defense 9740, [email protected] Department’s fiscal 2020 budget would eliminate roughly 20 percent of Legislative Affairs: Lt Col Charles T. Clements, USAF- Ret, 256-715-1671, [email protected] military medical positions, along with other reorganization measures. This shortsighted “reform” effort could have drastic, even deadly, consequences Personal Affairs: Lt Col Gerald Haynes, USAF-Ret, 256- 882-7857, [email protected] on the battlefield and throughout American health care. Public Affairs (Publicity): CDR John Inman, 256-425-8022, [email protected] • Ensure Safe Housing for Military Families Chapter Historian: Vacant When military families face health threats in their homes, it can be harder Auxiliary Liaison: Mrs. Jan Camp, 256-464-8622, for servicemembers to focus on their mission. Congress is considering [email protected] legislation to address health threats in base housing—by remediating Chapter Hospitality: Mrs. Carrie Hightower, 256-882- 3992 environmental hazards, establishing strong tenants’ rights procedures, and Constitution and By-Laws: CAPT Richard C. West, USN- restoring proper oversight of construction and maintenance contractors. Ret, 256-776-6901, [email protected] • Let's Put an End to the Widows Tax Chapter Chaplain: CH (LTC) Bert E. Wiggers, AUS-Ret, 256- 617-0055, [email protected] The House version of the annual defense bill contains a provision to end Commissary & Post Exchange: Col Gerald C. Maxwell, what's commonly referred to as the widow’s tax. USAFR, 256-606-5282, [email protected] FAHC Liaison: MAJ Bruce T. Robinson, USA-Ret, 256-426- • Act Now to Help Veteran Caregivers 0525, [email protected] The Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures (TEAM) for Golf: MAJ Bruce T. Robinson, USA-Ret, 256-426-0525, [email protected] Veteran Caregivers Act improves the veterans caregiver program by ROTC: Vacant ensuring all caregivers are included in the veterans’ medical records, TOPS: MAJ Bruce T. Robinson, USA-Ret, 256-426-0525, establishing a minimum standard of information in downgrade notification [email protected] letters, and extending benefits for at least 90 days after a termination letter The SENTINEL Editor: MAJ Bruce T. Robinson, USA-Ret, is sent for cases where a veteran is deemed “no longer clinically eligible” 256-426-0525, [email protected] for the program. LIFE MEMBERSHIP TRUST COL John Fairlamb, USA-Ret, 256-539-0161, [email protected] (June 2020) COLA Watch: The July CPI is 1.6% above the FY 2019 COLA baseline. Go to http://huntsvillemoaa.org. Look on our webpage under Legislative MAJ Monte C. Washburn, USA-Ret, 256-301-5457, [email protected] (July 2021) Affairs for September 2019; there are five articles I invited you to read: USS LTC John C. Franks, USA-Ret, 703-489-2701, Ford Updates, USMC Base in Alaska, B-1 Bomber Readiness, Tips for Using [email protected] (July 2022) TRICARE Overseas and Expansion to Military Shopping. 2 PX / Commissary Col Gerald C. Maxwell, USAFR Need Addresses None this month Main Exchange Check out our big screen TV’s selection—now is the time to get your gear for We have lost track of the above all the college games! OLED 65 inch and 4K 75 inch to impress anyone. members. If you know their whereabouts, please have them contact Chris Downing at 256- Just in time for the holidays – Traeger grill/smokers on sale! Included is a free shelf! Hickory and mesquite pellets also on sale. 828-9740. The Exchange values your opinion. Please take a moment to tell them how they are doing. The link information is on your receipt or go to https://surveymonkey.com/s/MyExchSurvey. Concerns For those without an Exchange STAR card – apply and your first day of purchases at the Exchange are 10% off! Plus, check out the Daily Specials! This month the following people As always shop early for best selection. were reported as being ill or recuperating and need our support and prayers: Shopette Every month a new Limited Time Special and Spirit of the Month—both have None this month many special prices on your favorites! Check out the monthly promotions and save. Persons to contact are: Gluhwein is coming soon in October to the Redstone Express. This year’s Army Representative: assortment anticipated favorites: Cherry, Blueberry, White and Red. Stock COL James D. Treadway up for the holidays while supplies last. This is a fast seller! 256-859-1484 [email protected] Also, don’t forget - Rug Doctor and Red Box are available at the Redstone Express. Navy/USMC Representative: CW4 Louis J. Kubik Commissary 256-859-3054 September has Labor Day promos on meats, butts and ribs, case lot [email protected] sales, National Honey month promo and Hispanic Heritage month promo (promotion & likely a demo of Hispanic food). And be sure to visit the Air Force Representative: International Isle and select from German, Italian, Hispanic, and some other Col Edward L. Uher countries cuisine. 256-882-6824, [email protected] For end of summer savings visit your commissary for many promotional sales through 8 September. One of my favorites Talenti Vanilla Fudge Cookie Personal Affairs Officer Gelato 10 oz - save 15%.